Fuel gauge went up and down

[esr26]

Today driving home from grocery store I noticed that the fuel gauge arrow was in the middle. Then it went up probably around 3 mm, then going back to where it was then going down couple mm and going back again..is this normal in cold weather like now (20-ish F today)? And the water spray for windshield wiper is not working...any thoughts before I'm heading to a mechanic? Oh and one more, whenever I use the power seat button to go back and front, it's a bit shuddered, it works..but like with great effort I've been having this problem (power seat thingy) for 2 months, I thought the motor will die eventually and we'll fix it..but until now still the same
BTW, it's 99 taurus.

Thanks!

[shorod]

The fuel gauge issue does not sound normal, unless you were on a rough road that would have been sloshing the fuel around for some time. There is some hysteresis built in to the circuit, but it sounds like yours was fluctuating for some time. Could be the voltage regulator for the instrument cluster (if they still used those in 1999) or a worn fuel level sending unit. Unfortunately, that is built into the fuel pump assembly.

Is your 99 an FFV?

As for the washer pump, are you sure that you have washer solvent in it that is rated for 20F temperatures? Can you hear the pump running, or no sound other than the wipers making a pass? If you no longer hear the pump, you need to check for voltage at the pump. If the pump is getting voltage but not turning, and the fluid is not frozen, then you probably have a bum pump.

For the power seat, have you looked underneath the seat to make sure it is not binding on a McDonald's cup or tennis ball? If binding is not the issue, then the grease may be dry and need to be cleaned and fresh grease installed.

-Rod

[esr26]

Shorod, thanks for the explanation. The fluid I add into the washer tube is blue one, and it's suppose to go below 20 F.
I've told my husband about it and he said he'll look into it this weekend, which mean could be next weekend..LOL
In the mean time I'll check the power seat my self probably one of my son's toy got stuck there (I doubt it though). And next time I use the car I'll keep my eyes on the fuel gauge to see if it's just one time thing or not.